Imagine yourself in a 19th-century parlor, captivated by the mesmerizing illusion of a spinning disc, revealing a sequence of images that come alive in your hands. Fast forward to the present, where Santi of Playmode, an audiovisual research studio in Barcelona, has breathed new life into this early motion graphics device, the Phenakistoscope, with a remarkable DIY electronic remake.
The Essence of Motion Captured
The Phenakistoscope, invented in 1832, stands as a testament to human ingenuity’s pursuit of capturing the essence of motion. This spinning disc, adorned with sequential images, when viewed through a slit, creates the illusion of movement, a precursor to modern animation.
Reviving the Phenakistoscope with Modern Ingenuity
Santi’s DIY electronic remake of the Phenakistoscope is a marvel of modern engineering, seamlessly blending vintage charm with contemporary technology. At its core lies a recycled stepper motor from an old printer, repurposed as the motion source. This motor, attached to a CD clip, rotates CDs at a stable speed, providing the foundation for the visual magic.
A Symphony of Light and Motion
The CDs, meticulously prepared with attached paper, feature both classical and newly designed Phenakistoscope patterns. As the disc spins, a white LED strip, carefully synchronized with the motor rotation, emits brief flashes of light, creating a stroboscopic effect. This synchronization is crucial, as it aligns the light pulses with the rotating images, resulting in the illusion of movement.
Open-Source Inspiration for Creative Minds
In the spirit of open-source collaboration, Santi has generously shared the iRobota Nano sketch used in this project, allowing fellow enthusiasts to delve into the technical details and recreate this captivating experience. Additionally, a mesmerizing video showcasing the stroboscopic POV experience is available online, offering a glimpse into the mesmerizing world of the Phenakistoscope.
Conclusion: A Timeless Legacy Reimagined
Santi’s DIY electronic Phenakistoscope is a testament to the enduring power of human creativity. By combining vintage principles with modern technology, he has reimagined a classic device, inviting us to appreciate the beauty of motion graphics in a whole new light. This project serves as an inspiration, encouraging us to explore the intersection of art, science, and technology to create captivating experiences that transcend time.
Bonus: The Persistence of Vision
The Phenakistoscope’s captivating illusion relies on a fundamental principle of human perception known as the persistence of vision. This phenomenon allows our brains to retain an image for a brief moment after it has disappeared, creating the illusion of continuous motion when a series of still images are presented in rapid succession. This principle forms the basis of modern animation, cinema, and digital media, showcasing the enduring legacy of the Phenakistoscope in shaping our understanding of motion graphics.
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